Family Time
For the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to hang out with this boy.
That’s my nephew 
My sister and her family came over to the west coast all the way from France! On top of that, my parents also came from the east coast, so the whole family was gathered in Portland . There was plenty of good eating, taking the kids to parks, and tennis. Annie and Cookie played tennis every day until injury stopped (aka slowed) them down. Meanwhile, the grandparents and I used the opportunity to spend a lot of quality time with the kids. (Read: I hope they nap!!)
Family photos at the park
We took lots of cousins photos
Me and Yohan
It’s Pi Day!
I highly recommend everyone eat pie today, and if you’re in the Portland area, eat lunch at Crust and Common Pie Shop, located at the NW 19th and Quimby food carts. If you eat there at the picnic tables, he serves the pies hot on a cute blue plate. So deelish!
STOMP
STOMP was showing in Portland at the Keller Auditorium, and I got to see them again. I love the show, and I think it’s ridiculous the things they do. No matter how hard I tried to focus, I couldn’t identify the sources of all the sounds they were making. It looks really tiring, and really hard, but it’s nice to see that when they goof up, they laugh it off and continue on. However, the best part of the show was the audience. The kids were CRACKING up so much that they were half the entertainment.
My 2010 Favorites: Travel
Finally! I’m caught up with year 2010 blogposts!! As a treat (and part of my new years resolution), for the next few posts I’ll be featuring my favorite photos! We’re going to start with my 2010 favorite Travel photos.
1. Mt. Adams from the top of Mt. St. Helens. I lugged my D700 up this mountain, with the sand and dust blowing harshly at me. That camera isn’t making it to the top of anymore mountains, unless it carries itself up in it’s own sand and dust proof bag.
2. Resurrection Bay from the shores of Seward, Alaska.
3. Shadows waving from the top of Mt. Tumalo. This was the trip where I experimented with Eric’s super fattie: the 14-24mm lens.
4. Walking along the shoulder of the Spit in Homer, Alaska, I found the urge to go with negative space.
5. Tern Lake, Alaska. I really liked how the sun was lighting up these blades, so I went with artistic.
6. Skilak Lake, Alaska. Driving and driving around looking for an access point to Skilak Lake for a sunset pic, we finally gave up until we came across a campground with a boat ramp access. The sun was pretty much all but gone, but I loved the blue tint everything was taking.
7. Crater Lake, Oregon. A girl dressed as a hotdog is jumping into the lake. No joke.
8. Sunset at Crater Lake, Oregon. The wind had picked up, so there was no reflection in the water, leaving the color to the sky.
9. Red Sky in a Crater Lake sunset. Thanks to Ben, I now know that this effect is called Virga.
10. My new favorite flower. Why is this travel? Well, this was from my trip to the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC. I don’t normally take pictures of flowers, but I think this flower is the prettiest thing ever.
Holidays with my Family
My family is pretty spectacular during Christmas time. We get pretty gung ho with the gift giving. It started out reasonable, but as the kids got older, we starting getting gifts for our parents. Then each other. Then there were husbands thrown into the mix. And now (the best) a third generation, a baby boy. Throw in multiple presents, because of course we can’t just get one present for each other. And, Yohan has to have the most presents.
As far as Christmas traditions go, our family is pretty predictable. My dad and Cookie ask to open presents right away while Annie insists on waiting “at least until Christmas Eve!” We used to open presents Christmas morning, but then we started opening “one” on Christmas Eve. But eventually, “one” on Christmas Eve wasn’t enough. Soon we started during the day, and then, the morning of Christmas Eve. I wonder when we’ll end up opening presents on my Mom’s birthday, the 20th.
My dad tries to figure out what the presents are so he can give hints or clues to the recipients. In response, Cookie gets upset if he’s too obvious. Annie likes to find creative ways to wrap clothing. My mom gets all three daughters at least one gift that’s the same. We like slippers, but the year we all got winter coats was pretty cute. I decorate the tree the same every year, except this year we had to avoid decorating the bottom of the tree with fragile ball ornaments seeing how my nephew likes to see if all round things bounce when dropped or thrown.
My favorite part of Christmas is my family. Their excitement is the best. My dad tears into the wrapping paper the moment you hand him a gift and whatever he gets he opens immediately, or tries on. My mom makes a point to notice the nice wrapping job (we always make a point to wrap hers the nicest). Cookie makes the best expressions when she opens gifts, where every gift (no matter how crappy mine may be) is always well received. Annie gets just as excited and tries on whatever clothes she gets. Kimmy refuses to let me reign terror on the wrapping jobs, and insists every present be decorated with some sort of ribbon or bow. Sylvain and Ben try to keep up with the insanity that is our family. And lastly, Yohan, age almost 21 months, plays with whatever is placed in front of him, despite his parents dressing him in his new clothes.
Speaking of which, I guess that means I have an excuse to post some more photos of my nephew!
Our Orphan Thanksgiving
Last thanksgiving we invited our friends who didn’t have family in the PDX area (like ourselves) over for a thanksgiving dinner. It might have been the best meal I’ve ever had. We had turkey and roast beef for our main meat dishes, along with the mandatory thanksgiving mashed potatoes and stuffing. Along with that came more tasty side veggie dishes: salad, kale greens, brussels sprouts, and green beans. And, since that wasn’t enough already, for more carbs we had yorkshire pudding, corn bread, and wild mushroom rice. I loved it all, and my favorite was the roast beef and mashed potatoes, which I ended my last bite with.
Oh, and of course we had lots of pies and cookies for dessert!
Best meal ever.
California & Movies
While in California last week, Xav and I spent a lot of time watching movies. Our movie marathon started with “The King’s Speech” (Xavier’s choice), followed by Disney’s “Tangled” (my choice), and ended on a Harry Potter Marathon (we decided to watch the first six movies currently available). I’m a huge fan of movies, and I’m always on the hunt for a good one, so any recs would be great. Here’s what I’ve seen recently:
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Um… Paul Newman? I heart him. He’s pretty, and that movie was pretty great. You should watch the “Making of” if you can, hilarious.
Scorched. I love this B-film! I saw it back in college, and it’s still as awesome and hilarious as ever. I highly recommend.
Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail. I’ve never seen this, and I tried to watch this over a glass of wine. Apparently, one glass isn’t enough, and I had to shut it off.
Lord of the Rings: Two Towers. So… I have still yet to see the entire LotR trilogy. I call them my “rainy day movies”. I’ve been saving the last two for my “rainy day” when I’m in desperate need for a pick-me-up and a guarantee-good-movie. I just watched the 2nd film, and oh man it’s good.
127 Hours. Well done, especially for a “based on a true story” film. It wasn’t a boring depiction of “here is what happened” at all, but more of a story with depth and development. The “gory” scene is probably gory, except I took off my glasses and plugged my ears, so I have no idea.
Heartbreakers. Funny French Film. I’m wondering who they’ll case to play the (inevitable) American remake.
Soon, I’m going to finally get to watch Whip it! I’ve been waiting forever to get to. That, and Little Miss Sunshine.
California & Family
Next stop on the February Awesomeness Train: Surprise trip to California!
Last week I was in the Bay area to visit Xavier, and during the trip, I got to see my cousins and their kids! I got to meet Julia for the first time, who loves purple and was wearing the cutest purple dress.
She was talking about “the party” we were at (we were out to dinner) and wanted balloons, so she was pretty pleased when Grandpa whipped out a balloon.
I also got to spend time with Thien Nhi and Thien Mai, via… babysitting! At one point, I whipped out the camera and let Thien Nhi takes some pics.
The two sisters have very different on camera behaviors. One loves the camera (she even made up her hair with a barrette), while the other spent most of the time behind the camera or running from the camera.
And, to show what an awesome babysitter I am, here are some pics from when I encouraged them to show me their cartwheels and headstands.
My Lunar New Years Birthday
Next stop on the February Awesomeness Train: My Birthday. This past weekend I celebrated my birthday threefold with a Lunar New Years celebration, game night, and Superbowl (which my team was playing in!).
For the Saturday birthday party, we catered from Silk, Annie made hến xúc (Vietnamese clam dish), and we even decorated! There was lots of game playing (hooray!) and, in the spirit of the New Years, gambling. They surprised me with a Steelers themed coffee & cookie dough ice cream cake. All the best things combined together!
The next day we had brunch at Cafe du Berry and I had a deelish Salmon Eggs Benedict along with their tasty French Toast. Later I watched the Superbowl… the Steelers didn’t win, but it was definitely a birthday treat to watch them play.
And, for my sanity and my energy level (getting old!), interspersed throughout the weekend was a lot of chill out time in front of the new wood stove.
Definitely a Good Birthday.
2011 Goals
With the Lunar New Year going on, where superstitions dictate what will “happen all year”, I started reflecting on what I want happening for the rest of the year. My 2010 goals didn’t pan out so well (no pull up, no learning to swim), but reading over them, I realized that most of them were pretty generic, and I’d want them every year. Obviously I’ll want to see family and friends more, take more pictures, cook more, see more sports. This year, I’m trying to make them specific, rather than relative.
Take pictures of self. There are very little pictures of me in 2010 (that’s what happens when you’re the photographer of the group: everyone gets lax on taking pictures when you’re around!). So, I’m going to try and get in front of the camera this year. I am going to have a picture of myself taken every time I whip out my camera with friends and family.
Stop pulling out my hair. It’ll likely be a day to day goal, since I won’t make it the entire year. Back in college I had a system to keep me on this goal, which I called the “TTM log”. I am going to bring this back.
Do a pull up. 2011 is my year to do it.
Blog regularly. My target is at least 2-3 times a week.
Cook one new dish a month. This one will be tougher than it sounds, since I’m a creature of habit when it comes to food.
Shoot 3 Vietnamese Weddings. Shoot one new sport.
See 2 live music performances. For someone who loves music, I don’t go to many shows or concerts (zero in fact).
Go for one walk a week during the weekdays. For my sanity really.
Do cardio type activity 3 times a week. For my health and to appease the mob.
Be no more than two weeks behind in uploading personal photos. This will take some catching up to do, so I’m aiming to be caught up by April.
Give Kayso camera time once a month. It’s time to bring back the mouse.
Print my favorite photos. It’s time to decorate my walls with my photos.
Happy New Year!
Chuc Mung Nam Moi! Today is the Lunar New Year. I’m really excited for this month. Last week was a long and rough week, where I was mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. I watched two movies that week, both of which did well to cheer me up. This week, February hit, and I am very excited for everything that’s coming up this month. First stop: Tet!
The house is cleaned (I’m loving my reorganized room right now), there’s tons of rice (just bought a new bag last weekend), and we’re getting ready for yummy food and games tonight!
I summarize the new years superstitions as, “whatever happens today with happen all year.” Sometimes I take it literally, even if it’s meant to be metaphorically. So, I took my vitamins, and (hopefully) have not pulled out any hair (this is a problem of mine). I also had coffee this morning, whoops, oh well. Guess I’ll be hyper all year long, sounds good to me.
The Story of Butternut Squash
Hello. This is Butternut Squash. Since I was picked up from the farmer’s market on Saturday, I have been sitting in the kitchen… listening. The kitchen is a very popular place and I’ve been hearing lots of talk about “best holiday ever” “gorging on food” “butternut squash soup”. It’s the last one that has my attention. Especially since the words “boiling” and “pureeing” have followed closely afterwards. Butternut squash soup. That does not sound like something I want to be a part of. So, I’ve been attempting to hide.
Miss. P’s Second Birthday Party
The Birthday Girl got her very own cake to eat with her hands
This has to be the best birthday party I’ve ever been to. It was for a two year old girl who loved the sound of music, the color pink, and icing. Her mom put so much effort into planning her little girl’s first birthday bash (the first one is never truly appreciated). A cake was made with the sound of music ornaments, along with a separate cake just for the birthday girl. We sang happy birthday, the birthday girl sang along, and her mother started to tear up!
And later, it was present time. Her last gift was a giant gift. Unwrapped revealed to be a giant tupperwear box. Opened it revealed… beach toys! “Look, P, it’s sandbox toys. Let’s go find a sandbox!” We all walked outside to the side of the house, and what was there? A sandbox. That’s just magic at work. They actually found a sandbox.
Portland Festival Symphony
One of the many great things about Portland is the free events it offers. Yesterday, the Portland Symphony performed on the Tom McCall Waterfront. I didn’t go, but next year, I’m definitely gonna go check it out. But, it brings me to this post, about the Portland Festival Symphony.
Pretty funny conductor.
The Washington Park Summer Festival hosts free concerts in the amphitheater of Washington Park and I like to attend the Portland Festival Symphony’s concert. This year was their 30th anniversary, so we (the audience and orchestra) sang them a happy birthday. The performers are good, the music is beautiful, and the conductor is funny. This year, I think over 2500 people came to watch them play. People bring picnic dinners and drinks, and lounge about on their blankets. It’s a nice way to spend your summer evening. At the end, they hand out maracas and flutes for the children. Then, with the aide of hundreds of children with their new instruments, they perform a song together. That has to be a recipe for success, right?
10 Things I learned While Watching After Yohan
As mentioned, I traveled to France where I attended my cousin Janis’ wedding and climbed at Fontainebleau. The rest of the highlights of my trip consisted of my nephew, family, and food.
Ben’s Duathalon
Due to the Kent rescheduling, Ben wasn’t able to participate in a duathalon at Hagg Lake for his birthday. So, as a replacement, we decided to throw him a duathalon for his birthday. It was shorter than your regular duathalon, 5k run & “29k” bike ride filled with some challenges in between. The participants had to do a mini obstacle course at the playground during the 5k. At the exchange, they ate 34 Pringles. During the bike ride they had to solve puzzles and answer trivia questions. At the top of a hill, they were rewarded with limeade and at the finish they were rewarded with homemade brunch!
Dillon trying out the zipline. It was part of the obstacle course.
Trivial pursuit and biking. (Waiting for thr bikers to arrive)
No pictures of brunch, yup, that’s right I didn’t take pictures of food. Was kinda scrambling to make it, and was too hungry to pause for photos…
4th of July
What a weekend! Happy 4th of July to everyone! Spent the 3 day weekend with a wedding, 2 BBQ’s, and a hike up Dog Mountain. Hope everyone had a good time!
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Went to Pittsburgh, PA and had a mini reunion with 5 of my college friends, the “pollo noche” crew. During the visit, we made tacos, ate KFC (thus the pollo in pollo noche), and visited the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. In all my years of college at Carnegie Mellon, with the conservatory right next door, I never visited.
Happy New Year!
Today is the Lunar New Year, also known as Tết in Vietnamese. Being an American born Vietnamese, having visited Vietnam only once in my life, I’m still learning new things every year about this holiday. This year, I learned that it’s good to eat duck the day before new years, but not the day after. Good thing I got my duck fix last night in the form of a Thai appetizer!
For me, the holiday is often about frantic house cleaning before Tết hits (I like to assume that the Lunar New Year follows whatever time zone I’m in), and eating lots of symbolic food the day of. All debts should be paid off. There is to be no fighting on Tết, no throwing out of trash on Tết, and no working (unless, in my case, it’s symbolically a good thing). Adults hand out red envelopes (lì xì) to children and wish them fortunes for the year. Children say thank you and wish fortunes in return. My memorized Vietnamese saying would wish health, happiness, and everything you desire.
In the end, for me, the best part of the Tết is being with the family, playing games, and eating the special foods. I’m sad to not be with my family and relatives this year, but my sister is making up for it by making delicious foods.
Let’s go Year of the Tiger! Rawr!
Bun Thang, the “Ladder Soup”. Means you’ll be climbing the ladder in life.
Banh Chung. My favorite. Just like Moon Cakes in the Mid Autumn Moon Festival, you don’t find these unless it’s Lunar New Year. So good!
I’m not sure if Chả Cá has anything to do with New Years, other than that it’s special and not commonly made. I’m not complaining though. YUM.
My Platinum Birthday
This weekend we celebrated my “Platinum Birthday”* with my childhood dream birthday party. It was a Pajama Board Game party. It was a night of games and ice cream and everyone hanging out in their pajamas!
* The term “Platinum Birthday” was made up by me. There is a real term, the “Golden Birthday” where it is the birthday when you turn the same age as the date of your birthday, i.e. Golden Birthday for someone born on the 6th of whatever month would be their 6th birthday. I upped the ante by declaring Platinum Birthday as the birthday when you turn the same age as the month and date of your birthday, i.e. turning 26 on 2/6.
My Winter Distraction
What was occupying all my time this winter holiday season? As I mentioned before, my adorable nephew.
Yohan at his first Christmas. We found that when I ran in place with my blue slippers on, it cracked him up.
Yohan at the park. It was cold and very windy, but he was the happiest and warmest of the group.
Yohan in his PJ’s I got him. Here he’s at tummy time, taking a break to rest his heavy head.
2010 Goals
And I’m back from the holidays! I went home to Maryland (where my adorable nephew stole my attention) and then off to California (where camping and wilderness cut me off from internet). But, now it’s 2010 and talk of resolutions is going on everywhere. I’m not one for new years resolutions, but I do like goals. These are my personal 2010 goals.
1. Make more meaningful blog posts. I started this blog on a whim, not sure what I’d put in it. I didn’t know who my audience was going to be, but I’ve decided to keep it as a photo blog, while still keeping the personal posts. I’d like to look back and see what I learned, and how I shot and viewed things. It’d be nice if this blog was useful for other photographers, while also useful to me. I also have this goal because I love reading my sister’s blog posts. I’d like to write interesting stuff like her.
2. Cook more. I love food and I want to love cooking. I’d like to try more experiments and become a master at my recipes. At the moment, my specialties are risottos and soups. I’d like to add fried rice and couscous to that list.
3. Take more photos. Everyone who hears this from me thinks this is crazy since I take so many already. I’d like to pick up a daily photo project. I haven’t found one that’s interested me yet. I might combine this goal with number 2.
4. Be more quick about uploading my personal photos. Since 10 years ago when I used to develop rolls of my film with the promise to my friends I would later give them copies (but never do it), I’ve gotten better about uploading and sharing my photos with friends and family. However, I’m still VERY far behind in uploading photos from 2009. My photos from my April-May Europe are a good example.
5. Floss more. I love flossing, I love going to the dentist (my new dentist is awesome). Only this past year did I start flossing (at the recommendation of my awesome new dentist). However, once I run out of floss, I fall off the wagon and don’t get back on right away. No more!
6. Watch more sports leisurely. Having no TV access at home makes it difficult to watch games. I find myself going to my favorite neighborhood burger joint whenever I want to watch my football team play. Actually, it’s a great excuse to get a bacon cheeseburger, but, I’d like to catch some live games at PGE Park.
7. See old friends more. Last year I went on a camping trip with friends in Yosemite. It was great to see them again. This past winter, I saw my roommate and best friend from college for only ONE day, after a 1.5 year long hiatus. This is unacceptable.
8. Learn to swim. This is a life long goal, but maybe 2010 is the year to do it? I can swim, but I don’t get anywhere very fast. My free style is something to be laughed at. My sisters tried to teach me one summer in the Mediterranean Sea, but there was a strong rip tide. The life guard told them to keep me out of the water.
9. Do a pull up. This should be a very easy goal. I’ve been rock climbing for two years now. I’m starting to climb v4′s. I should be able to do a pull up by now!
10. Take more sports photos. This will always be a goal for me. I don’t know if I’ll ever get enough of sports photo taking.
And that’s all for now.
Thanksgiving with Family
This weekend, my parents flew into Portland from Maryland for their first Thanksgiving away from home! This was a huge treat for my sister and I. Per Thanksgiving and Duong traditions, we played a lot of tennis and cooked delicious foods every day. The weekend was perfect (if you completely disregard the NW water issue) and I’m sad that they’re gone.
We’re missing Yohan and his parents, but we’ll get to see him at Christmas!
My contribution to dinner: Butternut Squash Soup
Oso loves it when my parents come to town. Something good is always cooking, and Oso expects to be included (especially after my mom gave her pho bones)
Stuffing, one of the best things about Thanksgiving. But why only Thanksgiving? I should make it every day.
One of my mom’s very many specialties: Apple Tart. This one was her most expensive tarts ever. She had to check in her luggage since she opted to make the almond creme filling in advance. No liquids, gels, or pastes allowed on board!
